The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-01-27
A STORY OF TO-DAY.
CHAPTER NIX.

CHAPTER NIX.
Whatever i'll the conferences of
Plowitz and Miss Beaufoy might bode
towards us, / had at least the advantage
of being able to observe without ex-
citing observation. The first fruits OF
my vigilance were uneasy thoughts that
Plowitz had indeed some inkling of my
secret, and was resolved either to de-
tcct my false pretences, or to Illustrate
the schemes'to which they invited me
to aspire. But / resolved, while exer-
cising all the caution l could muster,
to act for the interest of Mary Fortescae
and myself, precisely as though no
suspicion Of the real state Of affairs
were aroused in any quarter. The adj
vantage given to me by having sur
prised the secret of the staircase. re-
solved to use as freely as was compatible
with safety. Ny first care was to open
up communications with Mary-to
satisfy myself of her welfare, and to
take such steps TO secure her safety as
occasion might put it into my power to
adopt.
/ therefore watched my opportunity
carefully, and in day or two found a
lucky hour in which l might, with .
reasonable hope Of success, try to turn
my knowledge to account.
Everybody had gone out except
myself-a state of affairs which had
hardly dared to hope would come
about SO soon. The house was pro-
foundry still. ! left the drawing-room
door open. and played as loudly rs l
could several of the airs which Mary
and had sung or played most fire.
quently together. Then, looking care
fully about me that / might not be
observed by any of the Hardy faction,
set the mechanism of the staircase in
operation, and in minute stood with
in the narrow passage-way.
Some instinct had warned Mary to
be on the watch. Scarcely had l ad-
vanced cautiously as far as the door of
the room in which l had SO roughly
brought Plowitz's wooing to close
when Mary appeared at the end of
the passage. She flew towards me
when she made sure who it was.
Il knew YOU would come soon," she
said. Il heard you playing, and felt
- r..
They were the songs you like best.
| scarcely dared to hope you would
understand their message"
She blushcd. and then asked anxious
":
Does DR.. Plowitz know that you
were here that day?'
NO; he seems to think it was you
who in some way taught him lesson.
Have you not seen him since?"
mo. l do not fear him. I car
avoid him as 4 rule If hear him com
ing. Anyhow, l am not as much afraii
Of him for myself. !"
For whom then?"
IL am afraid for you,' she said earn
estly. again coloring and looking
shyly at me, in strange contradiction
to the earncstness Of her speech. :"
am afraid for you. He would not
he could not hurt me. But if b,
thought you were opposing him-stil
more. if he imagined you could see, h,
would stand at nothing for revenge
for safety
He would be right" I answered
But you? How is it with you
Helpless and a prisoner as you virtual
are. tremblc for your safety"
NO" she replied, '.you exaggerat
my danger. 1t is true that I am
prisoner, but would be prisoner Q
my own choice rather than be constant
" in the society Of DR.. Plowitz, VIII
likes me too much, or of Guilia. VIII
loves me too little
A brief time of conversation, inter
esting only to ourselves followed, an
then my concern for Mary's safet
steeled me to hurried parting. Blu
rs went out on the landing, just a
the wall closed behind me, l thought
most wildly, that had seen figure
the figlre, as it seemed, of Hardy
standing at the end of the passage
Had lie been listening? Had h
seen me? And, if so. no,
could I tcll-how guard against tn
probable revenge of Plowitz?"
A few days passed, in which thi
doubt and the uncertainty as to wha
effect the occurrence, if observed, Nigh
have had upon the treatment Of Mar
Foricscuc, gave me but little rest da
and night The Basilisk was almost :
her best and sweetest. Plowitz VIA
cordial enough in manner, but thcr
. was a look of green jealousy and hatre'
in his eyes which was new, and whicl
justified my worst suspicious. cOul'
believe ut times, from that look, tina
he had wrcakcd his envy and chagril
by even the death of her who had beel
unhappy enough to attract his unwel
come addresses. My anxiety was Q
great that took the earliest opportuni
ty when Plowitz had set out for walk
towards twilight one afternoon, to a
sure myself of the continued welfare {
Mary. ! FASTENED to the staircase an
pulled the lever. Scarcely had set IN
foot within the passage when Mar,
pale and anxious. came running Il
wards me.
..Oh. go!" she cried; '.you are i
great DANGER
"How?" l asked. WHO knows ! al
here?'
Hush" she ...spered. "Plowil
knows all. Hardy is even now sigma
ling him to return. He saw you la
time, and DIR. Plowitz will stand |
nothing. Hardy has been on Il
watch ever since. and when DR.. ri,
WITT goes out, it is on purpose that
may have chance Of catching &c
here"
well, may catch him here" sa
!. rather nettled at this assumption TIL
all the risk was to be mine in an G.
counter with the professor.
..You would have no chance. TIL
is a dreadful house. People have bet
killed here before now. Nothing
known Of these things outside. Ha
DIV is ordered, know, to lock the IN
chinery Of the staircase If he finds "